It’s been more than 12 years since those wonderful memories of an epic FA Vase run and Guernsey’s win over Bexhill United has brought the competition back to the island as Croydon visit this weekend.
The prize for victory is a place in the first round proper in October. The Green Lions need to find the net twice to reach 1,100 goals in their history.
The 4-1 win in Bexhill a few weeks ago got us here, and Tony Vance has a tough decision to make with almost a full squad to pick from. Dave Merris returns from suspension, so it is only Matt Loaring and Jacques Cauvin who remain sidelined through injury.
This is Croydon’s first visit to Victoria Park but they have been to the island before. The Trams now play at Step 6 in Division One of the Southern Counties East League, but in 2012-13 were in the Combined Counties Premier Division with the Green Lions. If previous results are anything to go by, we could be in for a goal-fest on Saturday as their visit to Footes Lane on opening day of that season saw Vance’s side romp to an 8-0 victory with four goals from Allen and contributions from Sam Cochrane, Jason Winch, Dave Rihoy and Matt Loaring.
In the reverse fixture the following February, five more goals from Allen (making it nine in two games against Croydon) opened up a 5-1 advantage before some poor defending from the Sarnians allowed Claudio De Almeida to haul the game back to 5-4, he himself grabbing four goals on the night. Luckily, Guernsey steadied the ship and a Nigel Hutton braced restored the cushion.
This is their seventh season at Step 6 having been relegated in 2019. They are eighth with 11 points so far this season. This is their first crack at the Vase this season as they received a bye to bypass the first qualifying round.
The tie will be settled on the day. In the event of a draw after 90 minutes, the match will go straight to penalties, with no extra time.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 2pm. Fans unable to make it to Victoria Park can keep up to date with the latest action on our social media channels. Parking permit holders can access the carpark at Victoria Park from 12.30pm. For more information on getting to the ground, read our handy guide.
